SAT purpose questions
The purpose questions in the SAT Reading & Writing Tests assess your understanding of the passage’s overall purpose or the author’s intent in writing it. These questions require you to determine why the author wrote the passage and what they intended to achieve with it.
Purpose questions typically present you with answer choices that describe different possible goals or objectives. Your task is to select the answer choice that best aligns with the author’s primary purpose, focus, or intent in writing the passage.
To tackle purpose questions effectively, you should:
1️⃣ Carefully read the passage: Understand the main idea, argument, and tone of the passage. Pay attention to the author’s perspective and any recurring themes or ideas.
2️⃣ Identify the author’s viewpoint: Determine the author’s stance on the topic and any specific biases they may have. Consider the language used and the overall tone of the passage.
3️⃣ Consider the passage’s structure and organization: Examine how the passage is structured and how different ideas are presented. Look for patterns or shifts in the author’s argument or approach.
4️⃣ Eliminate incorrect answer choices: Cross out answer choices that do not align with the passage’s purpose or are not adequately supported by the content.
5️⃣ Choose the best answer: Select the answer choice that accurately reflects the author’s primary purpose, based on your understanding of the passage.
SAT purpose questions tips
Remember to base your answer solely on the information provided in the passage itself, rather than relying on your personal opinions or external knowledge.
SAT purpose Sample Question I:
In recent years, the issue of climate change has gained significant attention worldwide. Rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, and extreme weather events have raised concerns about the long-term health of our planet. This article explores the impact of human activities on climate change and emphasizes the urgent need for collective action.
What is the primary purpose of this passage?
A) To argue that climate change is a natural occurrence and not influenced by human activities.
B) To provide a historical analysis of climate patterns over the past century.
C) To highlight the potential consequences of climate change for the planet.
D) To encourage readers to join local environmental initiatives and reduce their carbon footprint.
Let’s analyze the passage and break down each answer choice to find the most appropriate one.
Option A: To argue that climate change is a natural occurrence and not influenced by human activities. This answer choice contradicts the passage, which states that the article explores the impact of human activities on climate change. Therefore, it is not the primary purpose of the passage.
Option B: To provide a historical analysis of climate patterns over the past century. While climate patterns are mentioned in the passage, the emphasis is on the impact of human activities on climate change and the need for collective action. A historical analysis of climate patterns is not the primary purpose of the passage.
Option C: To highlight the potential consequences of climate change for the planet. This answer choice aligns with the information provided in the passage. The passage mentions rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, and extreme weather events as concerns for the long-term health of the planet. The purpose of the passage is to emphasize the urgent need for collective action, which suggests that the primary purpose is indeed to highlight the potential consequences of climate change for the planet.
Option D: To encourage readers to join local environmental initiatives and reduce their carbon footprint. While the passage emphasizes the need for collective action, it does not specifically mention joining local environmental initiatives or reducing carbon footprints. This answer choice goes beyond the scope of the passage, making it less likely to be the primary purpose.
Based on the passage, the most appropriate answer choice is:
C) To highlight the potential consequences of climate change for the planet.
SAT purpose Sample Question II:
“Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. With platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, people can connect and share information instantly. However, there are concerns regarding privacy, cyberbullying, and the impact of excessive screen time on mental health.”
What is the primary purpose of the passage?
A) To advocate for the complete elimination of social media platforms.
B) To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of social media in modern society. C) To analyze the algorithms used by social media platforms to customize content.
D) To provide a step-by-step guide on how to create an engaging social media profile.
In the passage excerpt, the author mentions that social media has become an integral part of our daily lives and highlights platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The subsequent sentence introduces concerns related to privacy, cyberbullying, and the impact of excessive screen time on mental health. These points indicate that the passage aims to present both the positive and negative aspects of social media.
Option A) To advocate for the complete elimination of social media platforms is incorrect because the passage does not express a stance that supports getting rid of social media entirely. It presents concerns but does not advocate for its elimination.
Option C) To analyze the algorithms used by social media platforms to customize content is incorrect because the passage does not focus on the technical aspects of social media algorithms.
Option D) To provide a step-by-step guide on how to create an engaging social media profile is incorrect because the passage does not provide any instructions or guide on creating social media profiles. It focuses on discussing broader issues related to social media instead.
Therefore, the most appropriate answer is B) To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of social media in modern society.
SAT purpose Sample Question III:
“Ocean waves crashed against the shoreline, their frothy crests reaching far up the sandy beach. Seagulls soared overhead, their calls echoing against the vast expanse of the clear blue sky. The salty scent of seaweed and brine filled the air, carried by a gentle sea breeze that brushed against the sun-kissed cheeks of beachgoers.”
Based on the passage, what sensory experiences are associated with the beach setting?
A) The sound of seagulls and crashing waves, and the scent of seaweed and brine.
B) The sight of seagulls soaring overhead and the feeling of a gentle sea breeze.
C) The taste of salt in the air and the feeling of sand between one’s toes.
D) All of the above.
The passage mentions various sensory experiences associated with the beach setting. Let’s break it down:
- Sound: The passage describes the crashing of ocean waves against the shoreline and the calls of seagulls soaring overhead. Therefore, option A, which includes the sound of seagulls and crashing waves, is supported by the passage.
- Sight: The passage mentions that seagulls are soaring overhead against the clear blue sky. This supports option B, which includes the sight of seagulls soaring overhead.
- Smell: The passage states that the air is filled with the salty scent of seaweed and brine. This supports option A, which includes the scent of seaweed and brine.
- Touch: Although the passage does not directly mention feeling the sand between one’s toes, it does describe a gentle sea breeze brushing against the sun-kissed cheeks of beachgoers. This implies a tactile sensation, supporting option C, which includes the feeling of sand between one’s toes.
Therefore, considering all the sensory experiences mentioned in the passage, the correct answer is D) All of the above.